Apparatus for treating disease.



MAL.SEVERY.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-28,1912.

I Patented J une 27, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

M. L. SEVERY.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASE. APPLICATION FILED DEC-28,1912.

Patented'June 27, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M. L. SEV'ERY.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-28. l9'l2.

1,188,565.- I Patented June 27,1916.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET a.

MELVH1L.SIEIWEIB.Y,IOF annnw'rorr Hare/Hrs, mnssacnusn'rrs, AssIen'on'ro SEVEBY MANUFACTURING comrmnor nos'ron, MASSACHUSETTS, a conrona'rronor massacnusnzr'rsbe briefly and generally stated tocons'istinsubjecting different portions of the human anatomy alternately toincrease and reduct1on of pressure, the frequency of such alternations,or the degree of pressure and pressure limits, or both, being varied asconditions render expedient. The treatment further consists inprogressively varying such conditions, or any of them, withoutinterrupting the continuity of the treatment.

In many instances, as in cases of drown.- ing, suflocation, strangling,and the like, the lungs are alternately inflated and deflatedmechanically, and like treatment is resorted to where breathing isimperfect either as to frequency or fullness of respiration. Where theusual or customary respiration of a patient is imperfect, a proper rateand depth of breathing may be established and renderedhabitual by thusmechanically filling and exhausting the lungs, first at the rate anddepth of breathing to which the patient form of apparatus for carryingout my 1nis accustomed, and later and very gradually approximating theideal rate and depth.-

The practicability of accomplishing such result I have established inactual practice in a number of instances.

Other ailments or diseases may be ameliorated or eradicated through theuse of the same apparatus so. applied and operated as to produce; a verygentle or subtle action in the nature of a mechanical massage applied tothe torso "or to the limbs of patients, and varied in the particularsand in above indicated;

The apparatus whereby this treatment is effected comprises 'means for,producing either internally or externally, or both internally andexternally, such alternating pressure; and further, means whereby therange and the frequency of pressure varia- Specification of LettersPatent.

the manner APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASE.

tion, either or both, may be controlled and rendered delicate andgradual, such variations or either. of them being ordinarily eflectedwithout interrupting the continuity of action of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation,partly diagrammatic, of a Patented June 27, 1916.Appiicationflledlleeember 28, 1912. Serial No. 788,981.

referred illustrative embodiment of my invention, the detent supports.

and detents being shown turned 90 from their-actual positlon to permitproper trac-' ing of-circuits, Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevationof the exterior of one wallof i the cabinet, Fig. 3 is a lan view ofthis form of the device with t e cabinet and its circuit connectionsomitted, the detents and their supports beinghere shown in proper.

position, Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are details of controlling mechanism to bedescribed, Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of a modified form of receiveropen, Fig. 8 is a similar view .of the same closed, and Fig. 9 s asectional side elevation, partly diagra atic, of a modified form' of theinventlon, designed chiefly, but not exclusively for resuscitation.

It is of great importance to the successful use of the apparatus thatits action simulate as nearly as possible, the natural processes orbodily functionin of the patient; that it be very gentle and ence notliable or apt to render the atient nervous, tense or unconsciouslyreslstant; and that it shall not in any way interrupt such naturalfunc-.

tionings. a

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 a preferred vention comprises a receiver10, in'the form of a cabinet as shown in Figs. 1 and. 2, large enough toadmit a person and provided with a door 12, which 1s suitably packedabout the edges to make it ractica 1y alr-tlght.

A pair of glazed win ows 14 for the eyes and an aperture 16 for the noseand mouth, are provided in'one of the walls of the cabinet, saidaperture 16 being; suitably added, so that the face of the patient canhe placed a ainst this opening to close it tightly and cave the nose andmouth freely, exposed to the 'outslde atmos here. By

means of abellows 18, or any ot er suitable means, communicating throughan opening 19, the pressure ofthe air in the receiver is I alternatelyincreased and decreased inexact tinte with the patients normal breathmgperiod, save where that period is wrong or the heart action is to bechanged. This change of pressure is not only rhythmical and in propertime, but it is of an amount exactly suited to the subject, and thisamount may be varied from no difference of pressure at starting to themaximum amount If other curves be desired they can be secured bychanging the crank motion to a suitably plottedcam motion, or in anyother well known.way.

The reeeiverlO is provided with a manometer tube 20 to indicate thepressure within the receiver, and a sliding window or safety valve 22 isalso provided to prevent an excess of pressure from being maintainedbythe bellows 18. This sliding door 0r window is capable of being workedfrom the inside of the cabinet and is adapted to change the pressure ofthe air within the same.

. This may be used by the patient in starting up, for the purpose ofneutralizing the pressure variation to a degree until he has gotten inproper step with'the device and is breathing perfectly comfortably. Ifthe pressure within-the receiver 10 is objectionable to the cars theymay be suitably covered or plugged. An atomizer 21 may be mounted on anoutside wall of the receiver lO-and discharge into the outsideatmosphere, whereby the latter may be humidified or medicated and anozonizer 23 may be placed outside of the receiver .to ozonize the air.

The bellows 18 are connectedby a connecting. rod 24 to an adjustablecrank pin 26 on a shaft 28. This crank is arranged to be adjusted bymeans of a screw 30 carried by a frame 29 on the shaft 28. The screw 3Ois provided on one end with a star-wheel or friction wheel 32, whichcooperates with a pair of detents 33 and 34 mounted on opposite ends ofa slidable bar 36 supported in a suitable bracket. When one of thedetents is in engaging position with respect to the teeth of the starwheel, the other detent is out of engaging position; As the star orfriction wheelrevolves bodily with the rotating crank disk or frame 29,its teeth or peripheryengage the detent, if any, which is in engagingposition, and the wheel is turned thereby to impart a partial rotationto the screw 30 in one direction at eachrevolution thereof. The rotationofthe star wheel 32 causes the screw 30 to turn, thereby moving thecrank pin 26 in or out according to the direction in which the screw-isturned. When it is desired to turn the screw. in the opposite direction,the other detent is brought into play and. the one previously inengaging position'is moved away.

The detents 33 and 34 are controlled by electro-magnets 40, 41, saiddetents acting as armatures for the magnets. The magnet 40 is connectedby awire'42 to. astationary contact-member 44, and by a wire 46 to themagnet 41, and the magnet 41 is connected by with the contact-member 44the magnet-40 becomes energized to draw the detent 33 toward it, or outof' engaging position, and draws the detent 34 into engaging positionwith respect to the star wheel 32. When the switch arm 54 is. inengagement with the contact-member 48 the magnet 41 becomes energized todraw the detent 34 toward it, and the detent '33 is drawn into engagingposition with respect to the star or friction wheel'32.

Thus by manipulating the switch-arm 54, the star-wheel detents are socontrolled that said wheel is rotated step-by-step in the'desireddirection to correspondingly rotate the screw 30 to vary the position ofthe crank pin 26, and consequently vary the stroke of the connecting rod24.- Thisvaries the range of pressure change produced within the cabinet10 by the bellows 18. safety valves 20 and 20 are provided at the topvof the casing to limit the pressure below and above that of theatmosphere.

It will be noted that only a small amount is to beused as a preventivetreatment over periods of considerable length The shaft 28 is providedwith a gear 27 meshing with a pinion 31 on a parallel shaft .35, havinga cone pulley 60 over which a belt 61 passes to 'areversed parallel cone1 pulley'62 on a shaft 64, the latter having a driving pulley 66 whichis rotated by a belt 67 connected to. any suitable source of power. Thespeed of the device is altered y shifting the belt- 61 on the pulleys 60and 62 by means of a shifter 68, which is moved back and forth by ascrew 70 rota- A pair of as i table. in suitable bearings 72 and 74. The

, screw 70 is provided on one end with a disk extending arm 84. Theshaft 80 is connected by a flexible shaft 86 to a jack shaft 88journaled in bearings 90 and provided on one end with a bevel gear 92.The bevel gear 92 meshes with a bevel gear 93 on a shaft 35, to drivesaid shaft. The shaft. rotates at a comparatively v high speed, whereasthe shaft 28 connected to the bellows 18 rotates at a comparatively slowspeed. In order to ascertain the speed of the device a pointer 94 isprovided, one end ofwhich moves overa scale 95, and the other end ofwhich is connected to a sleeve 96 slidable on a shaft 98 and connectedto acentrifugal governor 100. The shaft 98 is provided with a bevel gear102 which'also meshes with the bevel gear 93.

The friction wheels 78 and 79 are controlled by a spring 104 and magnet106, both of which act upon the arm 84 of the rocking frame 82. When thespring 104 pulls the arm 84 upward the wheel 78 is brought into contactwith the disk 76 to rotate the latter in one direction and with it thescrew 70 to move the shifter 68 in one direction, thereby shifting thebelt 61 along the pulleys 60 and 62 to increase the speed of the device.When the magnet 106 is energized it attracts the arm 84, overcoming thespring 104, thus bringing the wheel 79 into contact with the disk 76,whereby the latter is rotated in the opposite direction 7 and with itthe screw'70-to move the shifter 68 in a direction opposite to that setforth above, thereby shifting the belt 61 along the pulleys 60'and 62 todecrease the speed of the device.

The energization of the magnet 106 is controlled by an adjustablecontact arm 108 carried by a disk 110 on the shaft 35. The

- disk 110 is insulated from the shaft 35 by an insulating sleeve 112,and carries afixed contact-member 114 insulated therefrom, whichcoiiprates with the adjustable contact arm 108. The contact arm 108 ismounted'on a vblock 116 pivoted at 117 on the disk 110. The free end .ofsaid arm is arranged to be adjusted by a screw 118 threaded through therim 120: of the disk 110,'to determine the-speed at which said arm willengage the contact-member 114.,

The contact member 114 is connected by a wire 111 to the shaft 35, whichis in electri-. cal contact with the bearing standard 113 insulated fromthe frame115 and connected by a wire 119 to one poleof a battery 121,the other pole of which is connected by a, wire 125 to the magnet coil106. The magnet coil 106 is connected by a wire 129 to a bearingstandard 133 mounted on the frame sure as in. the cabinet 10.

to a stationary contact-member 130 and by a wire 131 to the magnet 127.The magnet 127 is connected by a wire 132 to a stationary contact 134,and the wire 131 is connected by a wire 136 to one pole of a battery138, the other pole of which is connected by a wire 140 to a switch arm142, which is adapted to make contact with the stationarycontact-members130' and 134 and is mounted on the interior of thecabinet 10. By manipulating the switch arm 142,,the detents 123 and 124are actuated to be brought into the path of the arms of the star wheel122 in the manner ex lained above with respect to the star or ictionwheel 32. When the contact-arm'108 engages the contact-member 114 thecircuit through the magnet 106 is closed, and this continuescloseduntil, the belt shifter 68 the speed of the shaft 35 sufficientlyto enable the contact arm 108 to move away periodicity is regulated inaccordance with the special needs of the patient.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 the receiver comprises a casingresembling a torso composed of two halves 150, 151 hinged together atoneedge and provided with two branches 152, 153at their lower ends, which,when closed surround the thighs and are padded to form air-tight jointsabout them. The upper end of this casing is provided with an opening 154for the neck of the patient, and this opening is also padded to form atight joint about the neck. The rear member of the casing isvprovidedwith an opening or branch 156 which is adapted to be connected to anysuitable pressure chang- 18. With this form of receiver the head of hasshifted the belt61 sufficiently to reduce ing device, such for exampleas the bellows 1'2 the patientis entirely exposed to the atmosphere andconsequently the ear drums are not sub ected to external variations ofpres- The torso beingplaced in either form of receiver above described,is subjected to a pressure which varies rhythmically in exact accordwith the normal breathmg, and is of an amount variable to. suit theexact needs of the case. I get, therefore, a delightful sense ofrelaxation and deep breaththis deep breathing is of the abdominal type,even though the patients may have the thoracic habit of breathing. Thethorax being protected by bony structure, the abdomen is first actedupon and the breathing can be felt in some cases clear down the back tobelow the kidneys, for all the Visceral organs are affected. Thevariations in the pressure within the receiver induce movements of thehuman organism without any muscular effort and with a delightful senseof well-being. Where it is desired to use the device for chestdevelopment, I sometimes place a restraining belt about the abdomen inorder to force the patient to expand' and contract thoracically thusenlarging the bust development.

As illustrated in Fig. 9 the modification I of my invention which isparticularly adapted for use in cases of resuscitation, comprises a pairof chambers 160, 161, the former being kept at a pressure above theatmosphere, and the latter at a pressure below the atmosphere. They areprovided with manometer tubes 162, 163. for indicating the pressuretherein, and safety valves 164, 165 for preventing an excessive rise orfall of the pressure in the respective chambers. A pair of bellows 168,169, are connected to the chambers 160 and 161, respectively, and thesebellows are connected.

' to a rod 170 which is attached to an operating lever 172. This leveris shown as adapted for manual operation, although any form of actuatingmechanism for the bellows may be employed.

' lhe chambers 160 and '161 are connected by pipes 174 and 176,respectively, to 'a twoway valve 17 8,'the latter being connected by apipe 180 to a funnel 182 adapted to be placed over a patients face. Thetwo-way valve is normally held against operation by a detent 184 whichis adapted to engage in 56 when drawn out of therecess a notch formed ina sector 186 provided at the upper end of a lever 188, the lower end ofwhich lever is provided with a gear sector 190 meshing with a gear 192on the stem of said two-way valve. The detent-184 is slidably mounted ona plate 194, and is provided with notches 196 adapted to receive aspringcatch 198 by which it is held up in the sector 186.

- When the detent 184 is drawn out of engagement with the sector 186,the lever 188 is free to be actuated by a spring 200'and a magnet 202,alternately in opposite directions, said lever acting as an armature forsaid magnet. Theenergization of said-magnet is controlled by a switchingdevice com=. prising a commutator 204 governed by a While the severalactuating and "control clock train 206 of the balance wheel type with aregulator 300 capable of wide adjustment. The commutator 204 engages acontact brush 208, connected by a wire 209 to one pole of a battery 210,the other pole of said battery being connected by a wire 212 to themagnet 202, said magnet being also connected by a wire 214 to a brush,216, which is in engagement with the shaft of the commutator 204. Themagnet 202, when energized, attracts its armature 188 and opens thetwo-way valve to afford communication between one of the chambers 160,161

and the funnel 182, and when said magnet is deenergized the spring 200opens said valve to place the other of said chambers in communicationwith said funnel. 'Thus it will be seen that the chambers 160 and 161are placed alternately in direct communication with the lungs of thepatient, and these alternations bear a definite timed relation withrespect to the particuar function sought to be revived, which timerelation is variable by the adjustment of the regulator 300. It will benoted that this form of my invention is particularly applicable tounconscious persons, whereas my preferred form is of more generalapplication and dispenses with the use of the funnel over the face ofthe patient, thus obviating any nervous disturbance due to placing acone over the mouth and nose of the patient,

By my preferred method of treatment every pore of the body inclosedlinthe chamber is alternately cupped and pressed, giving not only animpalpable massage, but having their contained gases subjected topressure variations greatly assisting their excretory functionsandmaterially improving the circulation and oxygenation of the blood.Where a member, as a limb, is to be massaged in this way, that portiononly may be placed in a receiver andthen the pres sure variation may bemany times greater than where the lungs are to. be acted upon. In thismanner,' with sufiicient pressure change, conditions of insufficientcirculation may be treated with marvelous results. l have not shownchambers especially constructed to take various members of the body assuch construction is well within the skill of any mechanic after what 1have already fabric comprising the fiexible walls. These strips part onthe line of the crease in the flexible wall and they are for the purposeof preventing outward bellying of the bellows on the inward strokethereof.

mechanisms here shown and described are those which I have used inpractice and deem best suited to the purpose, it is to be understoodthat any equivalent devices may be substituted therefor withoutdeparting from the spirit ,orscope of my invention, and the claimshereinafter made are to be read and interpreted with this understanding.

What I claim is 1. An apparatus of the character described, comprisingin combination, a receiver adapted to inclose the body or member to betreated; means for alternately raising the pressure above and reducingit below atmospheric pressure; valves adapted to limit the increase andreduction of pressure; and means independent of said valves for varyingthe range of pressure within the limits for which said valves are set,during operation of the pressure increasing and reducing means.

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising in combination, areceiving chamber; means for alternately increasing and decreasing thepressure within said chamber; means for limiting such increase anddecrease; and means for controlling the frequency of alternate increaseand decrease in pressure, said controlling means being operable by theuser of the apparatus while within the receiving chamber and duringcontinuing operation of the apparatus.

3. An apparatus of the character deber; means for alternately increasingand decreasing the pressure withinsaid chamber; a driving mechanism;connections between the driving mechanism and the pressure-increasingand decreasing means; and means for varying the relation of said drivingand Speed ofthe prime motor.

ber; means for alternately raising and lowering the pressure within saidchamber; a

prime motor; a shaft connected. with and serving to actuate thepressure-raising and lowering mechanism; variable speed gear interposedbetween the prime motor and the shaft; and automaticmechanism'controlling sa1d variable speed gear and serving through suchcontrol to maintain a constant speed of the shaft notwithstandingchanges in the 5. An apparatus of the character described, comprising incombination, a chamber; means for alternately raising and lowering thepressure within said chamber; a shaft connected with and serving toactuate said pressure-varying means; a prime motor; variable speed gearinterposed between and connecting the prime motor and the shaft;electromagnetic devices controlling the variable speed mechanism andservin to maintain constant the speed of the driven member thereof; acentrifugal 'cir-' cuit closer carried by said driven member and formingpart of the circuit of said electromagnetic control devices; andelectromagnetic means under control of the userv of the apparatus,serving to adjust the cen trifugal circuit closer and thereby todetermine the normal speed of the driven member. 7

In testimony whereof I have aifixed my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

E VIN L, SEVERY.

Witnesses:

EDWARD S. CRooKE'r'r, ESTHER R. PRUSSIAN.

